Railroad crossing and danger signal



May 14, 1940.

c. EVANS I 2.200.739

RAILROAD CROSSING'AND DANGER smuan Filed Feb. 15, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1May 14, 1940. c. EVANS RAILROAD CROSSING AND DANGER SIGNAL I Filed Feb.15-, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Clyde Evaz y 4,1 40-' Y c. EVANS 2.200.739

RAILROAD cnossme AND DANGER SIGNAL,

Filed Feb. 15, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 14, 1940. EVANS 2.200.739

RAILROAD CROSSING AND DANGER SIGNAL Filed Feb. 15, 1936 4 Sheets-SheetPatented May 14, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to highway warnings for warning drivers andpassengers of vehicles of .their approach to regions of actual orpotential danger. My invention is especially directed 5 towardadequately providing warning of the approach to a highway and railwaygrade crossing.

I achieve these results by providing easily surmountable obstructions inthe line of approach to a grade crossing. They extend transversely l tothe approach to such crossing and are traveled over by the approachingvehicles. They yield to the vehicles and transmit a very slight shock tothe riders, and are insufficient to endanger the vehicle'even thoughtraveling at a 15 high speed. These obstructions, which I call blisters,are provided with switch contacts for closing electrical circuits asthey yield to the Weight of a vehicle. In addition to the switches, theyare provided with illuminated openings 20 within which warning legendsmay be displayed.

The switches upon all or preselected blisters may be employed forclosing electric circuits, which circuits can be employed for operatingVarious types of warning devices, such as sound instrumerits, flashers,semaphores, bells, etc., or a combination of the same, and also to closeelectric lighting circuits for illuminating the openings in theblisters, and also to open certain circuits after a vehicle has passedthereover.

of varying numbers, as for instance, a group of five blisters, followedby a group of four, succeeded by a group of three, then finally oneblister. This arrangement, or some other acceptable arrangement would ineffect be a code signal of warning of approach to a grade crossing orother region of danger. Passing over groups so arranged wouldimmediately warn travelers in vehicles that they approach a grade 40crossing. This coupled with visual and auditory signalling devicesprovides adequate warning of the approach to dangerous regions.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent uponreadingthe description thereof aided by the views thereof in theaccompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a diagrammatical view of anintersecting railway track and highway and illustrates how my in- Fvention is employed as a warning device in conjunction therewith. Figure2 is a diagram of an electric circuit employed in conjunction withcircuit closing means operated by passing vehicles. These circuits areshown operating various signals. Figure 3 is adiagram of an electricThese blisters, I prefer to arrange in groups circuit for heating thevarious circuit closing and warning devices to free them of snow andice. Figure 4 is a side elevation of a highway and illustrates how theblisters are arranged to be engaged by wheels of passing vehicles. Fig-5 ure 5 is a plan view of thesame highway. This view illustrates how theblisters are arranged in groups, and their position in the roadway.Figure 6 is a sectional view of a highway looking transversely asshownby section line 6-6 in Figure 5. This view illustrates how the framesupporting the blisters is embedded in the roadway. Figure '7 is thesectional view indicated by section line 1-1 in Figure 5. This viewillustrates the structure of the blisters and the circuit closing means.Figure 8 is the sectional view shown by the section lines 8--8 in Figure5; This view illustrates the means for illuminating the plates in theblisters. Figure 8A is a diagram illustrating how light is reflected tothe plates in the blisters. Figure 9 is the sectional view indicated bysection line 9-4! in Figure 5. Figure 10 is similar to Figure 7 with theexception of a modification in the structure of the electric switch. rIn the drawings similar characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Referring to the drawings, l indicates a highway or roadway passing overa railroad tracln. Embedded in the travel lanes of the highway as itapproaches the railroad are a number of frames 2 which are provided witha number of elongated slots 2a arranged transverselyxto such lane. Theseslots are sufiiciently long to compel a vehicle traveling the lane topass thereover, and are designated respectively by the numerals 35, 36,31 and 38. In the views, the frames are shown having five, four, threeand. one slots. The number of slots provided is optional, but in thepresent instance I prefer to employ the arrangement shown. Inpositioning the frames, the frame having five slots is positionedfarthest from the crossing, then nearer to the crossing is positionedthe frame containing four slots, then still nearer the frame containingthree slots, and finally the frame having one slot. The spacing betweenthe frames is optional, though I prefer to'provide a space between eachgroup approximating one hundred feet. Protruding from each slot is ablister 3 having a rounded contour where it projects above the upper surfaced the highway and the frame. This blister is preferably made of aheavy yieldable substance, such as rubber, and in cross section has asomewhat U shape with one leg rigidly secured to thebottom 6 of theframe by means of the fastening members 3. When it is stated that theblisters are formed of yieldable substance, it is meant that they areflexible and bend under the weight of a vehicle. However they havesuflicient body and strength to prevent entire collapse when suchvehicle passes thereover In the upper portion of the blister there isseated in an opening through the blister a transparent or translucentbody or plate 5 which may have delineated thereon suitable warninglegends as shown in Figure 5.

The free leg of the blister is provided with an electric contact 7 whichengages thestationary contact 3 embedded in the other leg. These membersconstitute an electric switch l -8 for closing an electric circuit, andhave conductors connected with them for that purpose as shown in Figure'7. When a vehicle passes over these blisters there will be a veryslight jar which will warn the passengers that they are passing over adanger signalling device, though such jar will be insufiicient toendanger the vehicle though it travel at a high speed. This jar isoccasioned by the fact that the blister topis elevated somewhat abovethe surface of the, highway and the Vehicle wheels when they engageitare momentarily raisedat the same time the weight of the vehicle bendsit down. 'This'rap'idup and down movement imparts a slight jar to thevehicle. As the vehicle wheels travel over the blister it yieldssufficiently to close the switch 1-43, closing the circuit to which suchswitch is connected.

Figure 10 shows a, modified blister-and switch construction. This has aleg to, secured to base 6, and the other leg 32), somewhat shorter, hasan extension rod 25 attached thereto. This extension contacts andpresses down the switch blade 26 thereby forming a contact betweencontacts 21 and 28. Both blade 26 and contact 28 may be connected forclosing an electric circuit. The contacts are normally out ofengagement. Blade 25 is supported by bracket 29. In con junction withthe switch blade there is employed an electric magnet 3e positionedsowhen energized'itwill raise the blade 26 and disengagethe contacts?! and28. Figure 2 shows a'circuit'for which the switch will be describedlater.

In order .to illuminate the plates 5, a lamp-iii is provided at one endof the blister and within the frame where it may readily be inserted orremoved. Upon the free leg of the blister, or at some other suitableposition within the frame. there is placed a reflecting device 9,arranged at an angle to reflect light rays fromlampis to and throughplate 5.

In order to maintainthe slots and blisters free from ice and show, aresistance heater i3 is provided within the interior of the frame andbetween the legs of the blister. This is in a circuit shown in Diagram3. In conjunction with the resistance heaters there are employedswitches M of a metal which bends during temperature changes and causesthe engagement of the contacts which "close a circuit to the heaters.The heater circuit is carried through an insulated sleeve l2 seated inthe projection ll of the blister. A conduit 16 provides means forintroducing electric circuits from the exterior to the interior of theframes. Figure 3 shows the circuit for the heaters I3 wherein they areconnected to the circuit A---B, which is energized by a source ofelectrical energy 0.

in Figure 2, the lamps associated with blisters are arranged in groupsof five, four, three and one, and each denotes an equal number ofblister's, the same as shown in Figure I. In this circuit not all of theswitches l--t are connected in -circuits, some are, and the remainderare idle. In the group of five, frame 35, the first two blisters employthe switch arrangement shown in Figure 10. These switches are connectedin the circuit D-E which is energized by a source of electrical energyG. Closure of these switches illuminates the lamps H3 in each group ofblisters, and they remain illuminated until themagnets 3d are energizedand the switches 27-28 are opened. The magnets are energized by theclosing of the switch 7-8in the circuit E-F. The numeral ll indicates anaudible signalling device, such as a horn or bell, which may be mountedin proximity to each group of blisters. The numeral l8 indicates a box'associated with signal 263 for electrical apparatus for operation of thesignal, batteries, and other necessary apparatus. Any audible signalwhich is operated by electric impulse, and which is suitable for thepurpose intended, may be employed. A switch, or a switch of each groupmay be con nected to operate a solitary signal, either audible orvisible, or both, which signal may be situated close to the railroadcrossing as indicated by the numeral 2%! in Figure 1.

As a vehicle approaches a highway grade crossing, traveling in thedirection indicated by arrows in Figures 1, 7, and 8, it first comesinto contact with the group of live blisters, then the group of four,after that the group of threeand finally the'solitary blister. The firsttwo blisters engaged in the first group, or frame 35, close two switches21--28 causing all lamps It] to illuminate the plates 5 of all blisters.The next blister encountered, closes a switch 7-8 causing an audiblesignal 51 to operate momentarily, or the signal 25, or both signals. Oneor more switches '!8 in each group is arranged to operate such signals.The switch 78 in the solitary blister is arranged to operate a signaland to energize circuit E-F thus opening switches 21-28. For thispurpose two switches 1--8 may be employed in the solitary blister. Thereason for having two switches 2l 28 is to obviate the opening ofcircuit D-E should a preceding vehicle close final switch 1-8 as afollowing vehicle engages the first switch 27-28. The visual signals, inframes 35, 36, 31, and 38 are illuminated simultaneously, being done bythe wheels closing switches in frame 35. Inasmuch as such vehicle isdirectly over or upon frame 35, the visual signals may not be seen bythe occupants of the vehicle, but they can be seen by occupants ofvehicles immediately following. However the audible signals will beheard, and the jars or jolts occasioned by passing over the blisterswill be felt.

V fhile a specific form of the improvement has, been described andillustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may bevaried, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A railroad crossing and danger signal, comprising a frame embedded inthe roadway and having a slot extending transversely thereof, a flexiblemember occupying such slot,said member having an inverted U-shapedcrosssection with one leg thereof fastened to the bottom of the frame and theother leg free to move, said member having a portion of its mid sectionextending through the slot and projecting above the surface of theroadway and depressible when engaged by wheels of a passing vehicle, anelectric switch closed by movement of the free leg when said member isdepressed, said switch comprising a stationary contact and a movablecontact moved by the free leg to engagement with the first contact whensaid member is depressed. i

2. A railroad crossing and danger signal for roadways, comprising aplurality of frames spaced at predetermined distances from a dangerregion and each embedded in the roadway with its upper surface leveltherewith, each frame being provided with one or more longitudinal slotsextending transversely of such roadway, a flexible member in each slotand each being mounted in a frame and projecting through a slot andextending above the surface of the roadway, said member being depressedby the wheels of passing vehicles, an

eiec'tric switch closed by the member when depressed, a transparentvplate in the projecting portion of such member bearing a warning legend,an electric lamp mounted in the frame proximate one end of the flexiblemember, means for reflecting light rays from the lamp toward the reverseside of the plate, a circuit for said lamps closed by certain of saidswitches, and electrically operated switch opening means for opening thelamp circuit switches including a circuit for energizing said switchopening means controlled by other of the switches.

3. A railroad crossing and danger signal, comprising a plurality offrames spaced predetermined distances from a danger region and eachembedded in the roadway with its upper surface level therewith, eachframe being provided with one or more depr-essible members a portion ofeach of which project above the surface of the roadway, an electricswitch incorporated in each member and closed by depression of suchmemher, a transparent plate in the projecting portion bearing a warninglegend, an electric lamp located proximate each member, means fordirecting light rays from the lamp to the reverse side of the plate, acircuit for said lamps closed by certain of said switches, and electricswitch opening means for opening the lamp circuit switches including acircuit for energizing said switch opening means controlled by other ofthe switches.

CLYDE EVANS.

